fc'/A 


DISCOURSE 

DELIVERED 

IN  THE  CHURCH  IN  BRATTLE  SQUARE, 

ON  SUNDAY,  MAY  3 , 1 8 4 0 , 

4 

OCCASIONED  BY  THE  DEATH 


REV.  JOHN  T.  KIRKLAND,  D.  D.  L.L.  D. 

Late  President  of  Harvard  University. 


BY  FRANCIS  PARKMAN,  D.  D. 

Pastor  of  the  New  North  Church. 


BOSTON: 

JOHN  H.  EASTBURN,  PRINTER, 

No.  18  State  Street. 


1840. 


A 


DISCOURSE 


DELIVERED 


IN  THE  CHURCH  IN  BRATTLE  SQUARE, 

ON  SUNDAY,  MAY  3,  1 8 4 0 , 


OCCASIONED  BY  THE  DEATH 


OF 


REV.  JOHN  T.  KIRKLAND,  D.  D.  L.L.  D. 

Late  President  of  Harvard  University. 


BY  FRANCIS  PAR  KM  AN,  D.  D. 

Pastor  of  the  New  North  Church. 


BOSTON: 

JOHN  H.  EASTBURN,  PRINTER, 

No.  18  State  Street. 


1840. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/discoursedeliverOOpark 


£ 


At  a meeting  of  the  Proprietors  of  the  Church  in  Brattle  Square,  holden  in 
the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  the  Ed  day  of  May,  1840,  it  was  unanimously 

Voted , that  the  Society  gratefully  acknowledge  the  sympathy  and  kindness 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Parkman  in  the  performance  of  the  religious  services  this 
morning,  by  the  invitation  of  our  respected  Pastor. 

Voted , that  a Committee  of  three  members  be  appointed  to  wait  on  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Parkman,  and  to  present  to  him  the  thanks  of  the  Society  for  the 
appropriate  and  interesting  discourse,  which  he  this  morning  delivered  in 
commemoration  of  the  life  and  character  of  their  fellow  worshipper  and  par- 
ishioner, the  late  Rev.  John  T.  Kirkland,  D.  D.,  and  to  request  a copy  thereof 
for  the  press. 

Voted,  that  Hon.  James  T.  Austin,  Henderson  Inches,  Esq.  and  Dr.  John 
Homans,  constitute  this  Committee. 

A true  copy  from  the  Records. 

IVERS  J.  AUSTIN,  Proprietors'  Clerk . 


S E R M O N . 


JOHN  5,  35. 

He  was  a burning  and  a shining  light. 

It  is  to  distinguished  excellence  alone,  that  we 
can  apply  the  praise,  which  the  Master  here  bestows 
upon  his  faithful  and  intrepid  fore-runner.  Moral 
and  intellectual  excellence  are  included  when  we  say 
of  an  individual,  that  he  is  a shining  light.  This 
union  is  essential,  because  neither  one  of  these  quali- 
ties separate  from  the  other  constitutes  true  glory. 
For  moral  worth  without  some  good  measure  of  in- 
tellectual power,  though  it  be  well-pleasing  in  the 
sight  of  God,  and  shall  not  fail  of  its  reward,  cannot 
diffuse  widely  its  influence  ; while  on  the  other  hand, 
mere  intellect,  unsanctified  by  religion,  uncontrolled 
by  principle  is  a doubtful  good.  It  has  light;  but  it 
is  not  light  from  Heaven.  It  may  dazzle  only  to  de- 
stroy. It  is  not  a reflexion  from  the  sun  of  right- 
eousness, whose  beams  are  for  the  healing  of  the 
nations. 


6 


So  also,  when  the  Psalmist  speaks  of  the  excellent 
of  the  earth,  in  whom  he  declares  was  his  delight, 
he  refers  to  those,  who  combine  moral  goodness  with 
power  to  enlighten  and  bless.  He  supposes  a union 
of  those  gifts,  which  naturally  command  the  respect 
of  men  with  the  holiness,  which  conforms  us  to  the 
image  of  the  Father;  gifts  which  belong  to  a “ soul 
touched  to  the  finest  issues,”  and  to  an  heart  right 
with  God. 

These,  with  whatever  other  qualities  you  may 
imagine  as  constituting  spiritual  excellence  and  in- 
tellectual glory,  must  belong  to  those,  whom  we 
honor  as  lights  of  the  world.  Their  characters  pre- 
sent an  object  engaging  to  our  contemplations. 
Their  example  proves  to  us,  not  the  grace  and  dig- 
nity only,  but  the  practicableness  of  virtue.  They 
persuade  us  to  become  what  we  admire.  They  are 
of  the  true  worshippers  of  the  Father,  whom  he 
seeketh  to  praise  Him.  They  are  the  ornament  and 
defence  of  the  community,  in  which  they  live.  They 
encourage  the  good  by  the  gentle  influences  of  their 
own  virtue ; and  the  evil  blush  and  are  humbled  in 
their  presence. 

It  should  be  to  us,  my  brethren,  a subject  of 
thankfulness  to  God,  if  it  has  been  our  privilege  to 
be  favored  with  examples  like  these.  If  in  the  di- 
versified relations  of  the  social  or  the  civil,  and 
especially  if  within  the  narrow  walks  of  the  domestic 
life,  we  have  found  a wise  friend  and  counsellor,  an 


7 


efficient  patron,  a faithful  Pastor,  a skilful  guide  of 
youth,  an  exemplary  and  honored  citizen,  a true  fol- 
lower of  Christ  Jesus,  a sincere  lover  of  his  country 
and  of  mankind.  Happy  the  community  in  which 
such  examples  abound : and  happy  the  individual, 
who  in  surveying  his  privileges,  and  the  sources  of 
his  blessings  can  say,  “ O Lord,  my  goodness  ex- 
tendeth  not  to  thee,  but  to  the  saints  that  are  in  the 
earth,  and  to  the  excellent  in  whom  is  my  delight.” 
And  without  fear  of  bestowing  any  unmerited 
eulogium,  ill-becoming  these  temples  of  God  con- 
secrated to  truth,  may  we  number  with  them  who 
have  been  lights  in  the  world,  and  whose  destiny  it  is 
to  shine  hereafter  as  the  stars,  that  honored  individu- 
al, who  having  finished  the  course  appointed  him, 
was  with  the  last  week  gathered  with  the  great  con- 
gregation of  the  dead.  The  place,  which  President 
Kirkland  so  long  held  in  the  respect  and  warm  affec- 
tions of  this  community  will  surely  justify — I should 
rather  say  demand — our  respectful  tribute  to  his 
memory,  especially  in  these  churches,  where  his  in- 
structions have  been  often  heard,  and  his  presence 
was  our  gladness.  When  I have  said,  as  was  declar- 
ed of  the  Messenger,  that  he  was  “ a shining  light ;” 
when  I have  added  what  was  uttered  by  the  angel 
concerning  a chosen  prophet,  that  he  was  “ a man 
greatly  beloved,”  I have  uttered  only  that,  to  which 
I am  certain  that  your  hearts,  my  brethren,  who 
have  known  him,  and  the  hearts  of  this  community, 


8 


yea,  of  multitudes  in  the  remotest  portions  in  the 
land,  who  have  shared  in  his  good  influences,  will  at 
once  respond. 

He  was  a burning  and  a shining  light ; and  for  a 
long  season,  if  estimated  by  the  usual  course  of  hu- 
man existence  were  we  permitted  to  rejoice  in  his 
light.  Early  engaged  in  the  instruction  of  youth,  in 
the  seminary,  of  which  he  was  afterwards  the  honor- 
ed head ; sustaining  a faithful  and  successful  minis- 
try of  almost  seventeen  years  in  one  of  the  churches 
of  this  metropolis ; and  thence  presiding  for  a still 
longer  period  over  the  university — we  must  count  it 
with  the  subjects  of  our  gratitude  that  his  usefulness 
was  preserved  to  us  so  long.  Nearly  forty  years 
of  public  service,  in  the  employment  too  of  such 
gifts,  as  were  those,  with  which  it  pleased  the  Father 
of  spirits  to  endue  him,  must  be  regarded  as  no  or- 
dinary allotment  of  favor  to  the  individual  entrusted 
with  them,  or  to  the  community  who  share  in  the 
benefit.  Nor,  rightly  regarded,  can  even  those  years 
of  infirmity,  which  were  allotted  him,  be  counted  as 
lost,  since  they  were  sustained,  as  long  as  reason 
held  its  seat,  with  that  serene  and  filial  trust,  which 
no  change  of  times  could  prevail  to  disturb ; and 
since,  together  with  the  example  they  furnished  of  a 
patient  endurance,  we  may  learn  from  them  the  les- 
son, which  his  latter  days  were  peculiarly  fitted  to 
impress — “ Let  not  the  wise  man  glory  in  his  wis- 
dom ; neither  let  the  mighty  man  glory  in  his  might. 


9 


But  let  him  that  glorieth  glory  in  this — that  he  un- 
derstandeth  and  knoweth  me,  that  I am  the  Lord, 
who  exerciseth  judgment  in  the  earth.” 

Confident  then,  as  I am,  of  the  interest  which  you, 
my  friends  of  this  flock,  still  cherish  in  the  character 
and  departure  of  our  venerated  father  who  was  also 
for  a season  a worshipper  with  you  in  this  temple, 
I shall  deem  no  apology  necessary  for  inviting  your 
attention  to  some  brief  notices  of  his  life,  and  of  the 
gifts  and  virtues  by  which  he  was  distinguished. 

The  late  John  Thornton  Kirkland  was  born 
in  the  State  of  New  York,  within  that  part  now 
included  in  Herkimer  County,  on  the  seventeenth  of 
August,  1770.  He  was  the  son,  and  a twin-son  of 
Rev.  Samuel  Kirkland,  who  partly  through  the  influ- 
ence of  the  celebrated  Whitefield,  with  whom  in  the 
course  of  his  frequent  visits  to  America  Mr.  Kirkland 
formed  an  intimate  friendship,  united  doubtless  with 
the  promptings  of  his  own  ardent  mind,  devoted  him- 
self to  the  arduous  and,  as  it  sometimes  proved,  the 
hazardous  work  of  a Missionary  to  the  Indians;  dur- 
ing his  residence  among  whom  some  of  his  children 
were  born ; and  the  impressions  which  were  made 
by  the  scenes  of  their  early  childhood  never  were 
effaced.  The  mother  of  Dr.  Kirkland  was  a lady  of 
distinguished  gifts,  which  she  consecrated  in  a meek 
wisdom  to  the  education  of  her  numerous  family ; 

and  the  fruits  of  her  maternal  faithfulness,  though 

2 


10 


she  lived  not  to  witness  them,  were  seen  in  the  char- 
acter of  this,  her  elder  son. 

His  name,  John  Thornton,  was  given  him  in  hon- 
or of  an  individual,  known  as  an  eminent  merchant 
in  London,  and  specially  as  the  head  of  an  excellent 
family,  himself  and  his  descendants  for  two  or  three 
generations  remarkable,  not  more  for  their  wealth 
than  for  their  philanthrophy ; and  he  above  them  all, 
by  the  large  sums  which  for  a long  series  of  years  he 
annually  bestowed  in  aid  of  young  men,  who  gave 
promise  of  usefulness  in  the  ministry.  It  was  prob- 
ably by  his  friendship  for  Mr.  Whitefield,  who  was 
himself  patronized  in  his  youth  by  the  elder  Thorn- 
ton, and  accustomed  to  celebrate  his  benefactor,  that 
the  father  was  led  to  bestow  upon  his  son  this  honor- 
ed name. 

During  the  revolutionary  war,  which  rendered 
hazardous  a residence  among  the  Indians  of  Oneida, 
his  father  removed  with  his  family  for  their  greater 
safety  to  the  western  parts  of  Massachusetts : and  in 
the  pleasant  village  of  Stockbridge,  which  at  differ- 
ent periods  has  been  honored  as  the  residence  of 
many  eminent  individuals,  young  Kirkland  spent 
some  of  his  youthful  days.  He  was  there  bereaved 
of  the  care  of  his  excellent  mother,  of  whom  he  re- 
tained the  tenderest  remembrance,  and  for  the  bene- 
fits he  derived  from  her  character  and  cares  he  was 
accustomed  to  express  his  deep  obligations.  From 
Stockbridge  he  was  sent  to  Andover  as  a pupil  of  the 


11 


Academy  in  that  place;  and  in  1785,  with  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  excellent  Judge  Phillips,  afterwards 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  for 
whose  character  he  ever  cherished  a high  respect, 
he  became  a member  of  Harvard  University.* ** 

For  the  winter  vacation  of  1787,  while  yet  in  the 
midst  of  his  collegiate  course,  he  was  engaged  to 
enter  upon  the  instruction  of  a school.  But  the  re- 
bellion of  Shays  occurring  at  that  time,  and  the 
Commonwealth  requiring  the  services  of  some  of  its 
most  active  citizens  for  its  suppression,  young  Kirk- 
land, releasing  himself  from  his  school,  enlisted 
as  a soldier.  He  continued  in  service  with  the 
troops  under  the  command  of  General  Lincoln,  till 
the  object  for  which  they  were  called,  was  honorably 
accomplished ; exhibiting  thus  early  the  fervors  of  a 
patriotism,  which  always  glowed  in  his  breast,  which 
with  him  was  not  a name  or  a pretence,  as  with 
some  who  boast  largely,  but  a sentiment  and  a prin- 


* Like  most  eminent  men  of  this  country,  Dr.  Kirkland  had  no  patrimony 
either  to  aid  or  to  tempt  him.  Through  his  academic  course  he  was  sustained 
in  part  by  a patronage,  which  he  never  forgot  and  afterwards  imitated,  and 
in  part  by  his  labors  in  keeping  school.  Knowing  by  experience  the  trials 
and  advantages  of  young  men  of  talents  without  wealth,  he  was  ever  their 
generous  friend  and  helper.  Indeed  the  facility,  with  which  in  this  and  other 
modes  he  “ dispersed  and  scattered  abroad,”  united  with  a certain  negligence 

**  in  affairs,”  which  was  his  undeniable  foible,  was  during  his  Presidency  a 
source  of  inconvenience.  Errors  like  these,  however,  will  not  fail  of  indul- 
gence, with  those,  who  consider  the  far  more  serious  defects  with  which  hu- 
man excellence  in  its  highest  advancement  is  too  often  mingled  ; and  the  gen- 
erous sources  in  which  an  incautious  or  excessive  charity  has  its  origin. 


12 


ciple,  prompting  his  most  generous  feelings  and  his 
noblest  thoughts. 

After  the  completion  of  his  academic  course,  in 
1789,  during  which  he  gave  indications  of  the  emi- 
nence he  was  destined  to  attain,  he  became  the  Tu- 
tor of  Metaphysics  in  the  University,  pursuing  at  the 
same  time  the  studies  of  his  chosen  profession,  till 
upon  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of 
the  Rev.  Oliver  Everett,  he  was  unanimously  invited 
as  his  successor  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  New 
South  Church  in  this  City,  being  ordained  to  that 
office  on  the  5th  of  February,  1794. 

Here,  in  a relation  which  was  ever  dear  to  him, 
he  remained  more  than  sixteen  years,  making  full 
proof  of  his  ministry ; and  by  the  weight  of  his 
preaching,  though  in  the  usual  acceptation  of  the 
term,  it  could  never  be  called  popular ; by  the  assi- 
duity of  his  pastoral  cares,  which  though  not  mani- 
fested in  a frequent  social  intercourse  with  the 
whole  flock,  still  gave  no  occasion  to  the  humblest 
to  complain  that  they  were  overlooked,  and  in  in- 
stances not  a few,  left  durable  impressions,  as  I can 
testify,  at  once  of  his  discernment  of  the  human 
heart  and  his  skill  and  tenderness  in  healing  its  sor- 
rows ; and,  perhaps,  still  more,  by  the  influence  of 
his  talents  and  character  through  the  whole  commu- 
nity, he  became  in  a remarkable  degree  the  object 
of  the  respect  and  love  of  his  congregation.  Among 
his  hearers  were  many  of  the  most  distinguished  cit- 


13 


izens  of  the  Commonwealth,  who  at  once  honored 
him  as  their  pastor  and  cherished  him  as  their  friend. 
iVnd  in  the  mutual  confidence  they  maintained, 
which  was  extensively  shared  by  other  eminent  in- 
dividuals in  various  walks  of  life,  Dr.  Kirkland  found 
some  of  his  choicest  personal  satisfactions  and  the 
means  also  of  his  widest  influence. 

In  those  emergencies  of  the  country  which  occur- 
red during  the  eventful  period  of  his  ministry ; in 
times  of  political  division,  exciting  party,  kindling 
animosity,  and  demanding  at  once  strenuous  effort 
and  the  wisdom  that  dwells  with  discretion ; more 
especially  during  the  crisis  of  the  French  Revolu- 
tion, amidst  the  ardent  hopes  it  excited  on  one  side 
for  the  cause  of  freedom,  and  fears  on  the  other  for 
the  interests  of  religion,  Dr.  Kirkland  exerted  a wise 
and  most  salutary  power.  He  loved  44  liberty  with 
order,”  he  loved  religious  freedom  with  religious 
faith,  and  united  himself  with  some  of  the  purest  and 
most  enlightened  patriots,  whom  the  country  has 
known,  in  labors  to  preserve  them.  Yet — and  it  is  a 
reflection  which  1 may  not  omit — he  never  forgot  in 
the  citizen  or  politician  the  sanctity  of  the  pastor. 
He  never  forgot  that  he  had  been  44  separated  to  the 
gospel  ministry ;”  nor  did  he  permit  good  services  to 
the  public  to  betray  him  into  negligence  of  the  flock. 
He  remembered  the  injunction  44  Feed  the  church  of 
God.”  In  his  religious  discourses  he  could  illustrate 
great  principles,  and  enforce  the  righteousness  which 


14 


exalts  a nation,  and  expose  the  sins  which  are  re- 
proach and  ruin ; but  he  did  not  mingle  party  poli- 
tics with  the  sacrifices  of  the  altar,  nor  deem  it  meet 
or  right,  or  his  bounden  duty,  to  distract  the  hearts  of 
his  hearers  with  the  secular  topics  of  the  hour,  when 
he  stood  up  in  the  sanctuary  to  present  their  prayers ; 
to  supplicate  for  them  the  pardon  of  their  sins  ; to 
solace  their  griefs  ; and  as  the  servant  of  the  high 
God  to  show  unto  them  the  way  of  salvation.  His 
sound  judgment  and  considerate  regard  for  the  feel- 
ings, impressions,  and  spiritual  wants  of  all  were  at- 
tended with  their  peaceful  fruits.  Our  respected 
friend,  like  his  cotemporary,  the  amiable  and  exem- 
plary Dr.  Lathrop*  had  no  enemies,  for  malice  itself 
could  find  nothing  against  them  except  concerning 
the  law  of  their  God.  On  the  other  hand,  there  was 
much  undoubtedly  in  the  aspects  of  those  times,  to 
awaken  the  solicitude  and  to  demand  the  efforts  of 
the  wise  and  good.  And  it  is  not  easy  for  those  of 
my  hearers,  who  were  not  conversant  with  the  dan- 
gers of  that  period,  to  estimate  to  its  full  extent  the 
value  of  an  influence,  such  as  our  friend  exerted 
within  and  without  the  walks  of  his  profession,  in  ar- 
resting the  progress  of  infidelity,  and  establishing  the 
dominion  of  Christian  truth  and  morals  against  the 
pretensions  of  a wild  democracy  and  of  an  insidious 
philosophy.f 

* See  Sermon  at  the  funeral  of  Dr.  Lathrop. 

t See  his  Discourses,  as  published  between  1795  and  1800  ; and  particu- 
larly his  Oration  before  the  Society  of  Phi  Beta  Kappa  in  1798. 


15 


The  religious  character  of  Dr.  Kirkland,  to  which 
in  this  connexion  we  must  advert,  was  exhibited — if 
indeed  the  term  may  be  employed  of  one  who  did 
nothing  for  exhibition, — in  a manner  altogether  ac- 
cordant with  the  character  of  his  mind  and  the  be- 
nevolence of  his  heart.  It  was  eminently  44  with  the 
heart  that  he  believed  unto  righteousness.”  He 
found  in  Christianity  not  a creed  only,  but  a law  of 
life  and  an  immortal  hope.  His  faith  allied  him  at 
once  to  God  and  to  his  fellow-creatures  ; to  God  as 
his  Father,  witness,  and  Judge  ; to  the  Son  of  God 
as  his  Saviour,  and  to  all  mankind  as  his  brethren. 
He  believed,  and  therefore  he  preached,  that  the 
end,  for  which  the  grace  of  God  had  appeared,  was 
to  teach  men  to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly 
in  the  present  world  ;*  that  condition  depended  on 
conduct;  and  he  found  both  encouragement  and 
restraint  in  44  the  looking  for  of  the  appearing  of 
Christ  Jesus.”  Few  so  well  understood,  and  none 
could  more  skilfully  expose  the  pretensions  of 
the  religionist  or  the  subtleties  of  metaphysical 
theology.  His  taste  and  studies  had  made  him 
familiar  with  the  controversial  writers  of  his  day. 
But  he  could  see  in  the  peculiarities  of  the  Gene- 
van or  of  any  other  school,  little  intelligible,  true, 

* This  was  the  text  and  topic  of  his  discourse  before  the  Massachusetts 
Convention  of  Congregational  Ministers  in  1813.  It  is  to  be  hoped,  that  this 
admirable  sermon,  which  many  to  this  day  remember  for  its  profound  and  com- 
prehensive views,  nor  less  for  its  enlarged  and  catholic  spirit,  will  with  some 
other  of  his  productions  be  given  to  the  public. 


16 


or  useful,  but  what  it  has  in  common  with  the 
simple  and  universally  received  principles  of  christ> 
ianity.*  His  religious,  and  above  all  his  devotional 
feelings  he  would  not  unnecessarily  exhibit;  his 
just  taste  and  humility  alike  forbidding  it.  But 
they — and  there  were  not  wanting  such— who  could 
infer  from  his  reserve  or  from  the  habitual  cheerful- 
ness and  contagious  gladness  of  his  spirit,  a deficien- 
cy in  the  religious  affections,  only  betrayed  how  little 
they  understood  his  character,  or  could  appreciate 
the  depth  and  reality  of  his  piety.  He  remembered 
the  injunction  of  the  Master,  “ When  thou  prayest, 
enter  into  thy  closet  and  shut  thy  door  about  thee.” 
And  he  was  not  slow  to  discern,  though  always  mer- 
ciful in  exposing,  the  affectation  or  pretensions  of 
such,  as  preferred  in  their  prayers  or  their  alms  to 
be  seen  of  men. 

In  the  course  of  his  ministry,  and  afterwards  as 
President  of  the  University,  he  was  often  called  to 
officiate  in  those  occasional  services,  which,  exciting 
the  general  expectation,  demand  more  than  usual 
thought  and  judgment  for  their  successful  fulfilment. 
His  discourses  and  his  prayers  on  such  occasions 

* See  this  sentiment  illustrated  with  his  characteristic  felicity,  in  an  article 
in  the  Monthly  Anthology  of  1809,  published  as  a Review  of  McFarland’s 
History  of  Heresies  and  Vindication  of  the  Primitive  Faith.  Dr.  Kirkland’s 
early  personal  friendship  with  some  of  the  eminent  Metaphysical  Divines  of 
New  England  qualified  him  well,  as  appears  in  every  page  of  this  able  article, 
to  understand,  and  where  he  was  disposed,  to  refute  their  dogmas. 


17 


none  of  us,  my  brethren,  will  forget,  who  were  privi- 
leged to  hear  them.  The  first  opportunity  I can 
recal  of  this  nature  was  upon  the  death  of  the  late 
Dr.  Belknap.  They  were  associated  as  Pastors  of 
sister  churches ; and  upon  the  sudden  departure  of 
that  eminent  divine  and  historian  in  the  midst  of  his 
years  and  usefulness,  Mr.  Kirkland*  was  called  to 
preach  at  the  interment.  He  was  then  only  in  the 
fifth  year  of  his  ministry,  and  the  discourse  was  pre- 
pared with  the  shortness  of  notice,  which  such  occa- 
sions of  necessity  suppose.  Permit  me  to  adduce  a 
brief  extract  here,  as  it  may  serve  at  once  to  revive 
a grateful  recollection  in  the  minds  of  some  of  the 
elder  of  my  hearers  of  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
men  of  our  country,  while  it  affords  a specimen  of 
that  graphic  delineation  of  character,  that  wise  and 
just  eulogium,  that  richness  of  thought  and  dignity 
with  tenderness  of  expression,  which  were  ever  at 
the  command  of  the  preacher’s  pen. 

“ How  he  magnified  the  office  of  the  Christian 
ministry,  you  and  others,  who  enjoyed  his  ministra- 
tions, who  joined  in  his  prayers,  who  listened  to  his 
preaching  and  saw  him  in  the  private  duties  of  his 
station  can  better  conceive  than  I describe.” 

“ You  are  witnesses  of  what  is  lost  no  less  in  private 
conduct  and  example  than  in  public  ministrations  : 

* Dr.  Kirkland  received  an  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  in  Divinity  from 
Princeton  in  1802,  when  only  in  his  thirty-second  year,  and  a degree  of  L.L.  D . 

some  years  after,  from  Brown  University. 

3 


18 


how  well  his  life  became  his  doctrine ; how  the  di- 
vine, moral,  and  social  virtues  appeared  in  him  in 
the  various  scenes  of  life ; in  the  hours  of  adversity, 
and  in  his  intercourse  with  his  people.  You  are  wit- 
nesses how  kind  and  inoffensive,  yet  how  plain  and 
sincere  was  his  demeanor  towards  you  : how  simple 
and  unaffected  were  his  manners.  The  sick  are 
witnesses  of  his  attention,  fidelity,  and  tenderness  in 
comforting  the  believing,  in  warning  the  sinner,  and 
confirming  the  doubtful.  The  unreasonable  and 
censorious  are  witnesses  of  his  patience  and  indul- 
gence ; the  unbelieving  of  his  desire  to  convince 
them ; the  afflicted  and  despondent  of  the  sweetness 
of  his  consolations  and  his  gentle  encouragements ; 
the  poor  of  his  ready  advice  and  assistance,  and  to 
the  extent  of  his  abilities,  his  alms ; the  rich  of  his 
Christian  independence  united  with  a becoming  com- 
plaisance ; and  the  profligate  of  his  grief  for  their 
depravity,  of  his  utter  disapprobation  of  their  char- 
acters.” 

Methinks,  brethren,  as  I utter  these  sentences,  I 
see  the  image  of  our  venerated  friend  in  his  own  en- 
gaging yet  dignified  intercourse  with  the  various 
classes  and  conditions  of  men.  He  himself  most 
happily  united  the  independence,  that  was  a stranger 
to  fear,  with  that  sense  of  propriety  and  justice,  that 
honored  all  men  ; an  abhorence  for  sin  with  pity  for 
the  sinner,  merciful  interpretation  of  motive,  and  gen- 
erous allowance  for  the  delusive  power  of  temptation. 


19 


Of  the  wisdom  and  self-distrust  with  which  he  ad- 
vocated the  cause  of  moral  reform,  as  well  as  other 
vital  interests  of  society,  civil,  literary,  and  philan- 
thropic, never  suffering  his  zeal  to  gain  the  victory 
of  his  discretion,  or  to  overlook  dangers  of  one  class 
in  avoiding  their  opposites — he  has  bequeathed  us 
an  example  in  an  admirable  discourse  delivered  be- 
fore the  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  suppression  of 
Intemperance,  more  than  twenty-five  years  since ; a 
discourse,  which  as  it  was  among  the  earliest,  will 
readily  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  weightiest  of  the 
excellent  productions,  which  that  great  cause  has 
since  called  forth. 

“Let  us,”  says  he,  “in  all  our  consultations  and 
measures,  proceed  under  the  influence  of  an  enlight- 
ened zeal  to  do  what  in  us  lies  to  banish  this  moral 
and  physical  pestilence  from  every  walk  of  society, 
acting  in  the  fear  of  God  with  true  charity  and  com- 
passion towards  men  ; and  careful,  lest  while  enter- 
ing a protest  against  the  sensual  transgressions  of 
others,  we  do  not  practise  spiritual  sins  ; and  whilst 
exerting  our  endeavors  to  reclaim  those,  who  have 
the  vices  of  men,  and  are  addicted  to  ease  and  plea- 
sure, we  do  not  reserve  to  ourselves  the  vices  of  dev- 
ils, envy,  malignity,  selfishness  and  pride.” 

The  election  of  Dr.  Kirkland  to  the  Presidency  of 
Harvard  University  upon  the  death  of  Dr.  Webber, 
in  1810,  was  with  the  cordial  approbation  of  all  its 


20 


friends.  Though  he  had  not  then  exceeded  his  for- 
tieth year,  yet  even  before  that  period,  when  the  ap- 
pointment had  been  declined  by  his  friend  Mr.  Ames, 
the  public  had  selected  him  as  the  individual  best 
qualified  for  that  responsible  trust.  It  was  accepted, 
on  his  part,  with  the  distrust  that  marks  minds  of  su- 
perior excellence,  proposing  to  themselves  high  aims, 
yet  fearful  of  not  attaining  them,  and  with  unfeigned 
regrets  at  relinquishing  a connexion  with  his  people, 
which  had  become  mutually  dear.  The  day,  upon 
which  he  entered  upon  its  duties,  was  a day  of  con- 
gratulation and  exulting  hope  with  all  who  loved  the 
prosperity  of  our  cherished  seminary.  And  how  fully 
their  anticipations  were  realized  ; how  well  he  justi- 
fied the  public  hope  ; how  the  University  prospered 
under  his  smiles,  which  have  well  been  called  a ben- 
ediction— you,  my  hearers,  who  have  known,  and 
specially  his  pupils,  that  have  loved  him,  need  not 
my  feeble  tongue  to  declare.  Even  they,  who  vio- 
lated the  laws,  could  not  find  it  in  their  hearts  to 
treat  otherwise  than  with  respect  him,  who  so  gently 
enforced  them,  “whose  look  even  of  disappointment 
was  the  most  effectual  rebuke,  and  who  tempered  the 
strictness  of  discipline  with  a winning  gravity  and 
grace.'* 

Pre-eminently  indeed  was  President  Kirkland  qual- 


*See  remarks  by  Dr.  J.  G.  Palfrey  at  a meeting  of  the  Alumni,  April  27,  on 
the  evening  preceding  the  interment  of  Dr.  Kirkland,  at  which  Resolutions 
were  passed  expressive  of  their  sense  of  his  character. 


21 


ified  for  a station,  of  which  at  all  times  the  cares,  and 
sometimes  the  trials,  are  commensurate  with  the 
honors.  His  happy  genius  and  command  of  all  his 
resources,  his  unfailing  judgment,  adequate  to  all 
emergencies,  his  searching  penetration  and  discern- 
ment of  character  which  seemed  like  intuition  ; his 
love  of  youth  and  clear  perception  at  once  of  their 
capacities  and  their  dangers  ; his  charity,  truly  pa- 
ternal, for  their  errors  and  desire  above  all  things  for 
their  virtue — these  excellent  gifts,  crowned  by  his 
wide  reputation  and  the  confidence  felt  in  the  purity 
and  elevation  of  his  character,  rendered  him,  above 
most  men,  the  fit  person  for  this  office.  “He  knew,55 
as  he  has  himself  happily  illustrated  in  his  exquisite 
description  of  the  youth  of  Fisher  Ames,*  “he  knew 
how  difficult  it  is  to  check  the  causes  and  control  the 
effects  of  youthful  error  and  passion.55  He  knew 
that  “the  college  life  is  a severe  experiment  upon  the 
strength  of  juvenile  virtue  ;55  he  represented  it  as  the 
rare  felicity  of  an  exemplary  pupil,  “that  he  did  not 
need  the  smart  of  guilt  to  make  him  virtuous  nor  the 
regret  of  folly  to  make  him  wise  ;55  and  in  commend- 
ing the  sacred  interests  of  education  to  the  nurturing 
care  of  the  Legislature^  whom  he  was  called  to  ad- 
dress, he  showed  with  that  weight  and  dignity  of  ex- 
pression, of  which  he  was  master,  “how  solemn  and 
affecting  was  the  enquiry  with  the  guardians  and 


* See  Life  of  Fisher  Ames  prefixed  to  his  Works, 
t See  his  Election  Sermon  in  1816. 


22 


teachers  of  the  young,  by  what  means  to  preserve 
the  successions  of  young  and  defenceless  generations 
from  the  waste  of  talents,  from  the  perversion  of  feel- 
ings, and  the  ruin  of  hopes,  to  which  they  are  ex- 
posed ; how  to  secure  at  once  the  progress  of  their 
minds  and  the  growth  of  their  virtues  ; how  to  make 
their  existence  a blessing  to  society,  to  themselves, 
and  to  those  from  whom  they  sprung  ; in  what  man- 
ner best  to  do  what  can  be  done  but  once  ; and  to 
seize  the  fugitive  moments  of  uncertainty  and  con- 
test, on  which  their  characters  and  their  destinies  are 
suspended.” 

It  has  indeed  been  objected,  that  in  his  adminis- 
tration of  the  College,  President  Kirkland  was  dis- 
posed to  an  excessive  lenity,  and  that  in  seasons  of 
disorder,  too  common  in  our  public  seminaries,  in 
enforcing  the  laws  he  was  wanting  in  decision.*  If 
this  indeed  was  his  error,  we  are  persuaded,  it  was 
the  result,  not  so  much  of  an  undue  facility  of  temper, 
to  which  in  a station  so  responsible  he  would  never 
have  yielded,  as  of  his  deliberate  judgment.  He 
thought  that  young  men  in  college, as  well  as  old  men 
in  the  world,  were  most  effectually  governed  and  re- 
claimed by  love.  He  relied  much,  perhaps  it  may 
have  sometimes  proved  too  confidently,  on  the  gene- 
rous sentiments  of  youth.  But  this  at  least  must  be 

* A few  sentences  on  this  and  another  page  are  added  in  the  printing,  which 
on  account  of  the  unavoidable  length  of  the  discourse,  and  of  the  communion 
service  which  followed,  were  omitted  in  the  delivery. 


23 


remembered,  that  so  happily  was  his  personal  influ- 
ence exerted,  he  was  the  object  invariably  of  the  res- 
pect and  love  of  his  pupils.  At  no  season  of  insub- 
ordination, even  amidst  those  wayward  impulses,  in 
which  false  notions  of  honor  betray  to  disorders,  as 
unreasonable  as  they  are  impotent,  no  pupil  was  ever 
known  to  violate  the  respect  due  to  him.  Even  they 
who  could  be  faithless  to  themselves,  and  carried 
from  the  University  little  good  besides,  still  carried 
with  them  their  love  to  the  President.  And  not  a 
few  gave  touching  evidence  of  the  place  he  possessed 
in  their  hearts,  when  after  his  retirement  from  Cam- 
bridge,* amidst  sickness  and  decline,  Dr.  Kirkland 
visited  some  of  the  distant  cities  of  our  country,  his 
grateful  pupils,  residing  there,  flew  to  him  as  to  their 
father,  and  though,  with  some,  years  of  separation 
had  elapsed,  were  prodigal  of  the  tokens  of  their  ven- 
eration and  esteem. 

With  what  mild  and  gentle  majesty — though  he 
was  never  studious  of  forms,  and  in  the  pulpit  never 
distinguished  for  the  graces  of  his  manner — he  pre- 
sided over  our  academic  solemnities,  and  added  to 
the  honors  he  conferred  by  the  benignity  with  which 
he  conferred  them,  will  be  easily  understood  by  all 
who  witnessed ; and  specially  by  those,  who  beheld 

* In  the  spring  of  1828,  Dr.  Kirkland,  having  previously  been  visited  by 
an  attack  of  paralysis,  and  his  general  health  in  consequence  declining,  re- 
signed his  Presidency,  and  after  frequent  journies  in  his  own  country,  spent 
several  years  in  Europe. 


24 


him  on  that  peculiar  occasion,  when  as  the  Head  of 
the  University,  he  presented  his  associates  and  pupils 
to  the  Head  of  the  nation,  in  his  progress  through 
the  Eastern  States  in  1817,*  and  afterwards  wel- 
comed Lafayette  to  the  honors  and  hospitalities  of 
Cambridge. 

With  what  tender  affection  and  fervent  prayer  he 
commended  the  graduates,  as  they  departed  from  his 
guidance,  to  the  God  of  their  fathers  and  the  arbiter 
of  their  lot — with  what  energy  and  pathos  of  utter- 
ance he  invoked  for  them  all  heavenly  benediction — 
that  God  would  spread  over  them  his  sure  defence, 
and  compass  them  with  his  favor  as  a shield,  there 
are  those,  who  can  never  forget ; and  others  there 
may  be,  who  unknown  to  themselves,  are  reaping  the 
fruits  of  his  lips.  If  in  this  connexion  I may  be  per- 
mitted, not  as  a pupil  but  as  a younger  brother  or 
son  in  the  gospel,  to  mingle  my  grateful  recollections 
with  these  imperfect  notices,  I would  say,  that  stand- 
ing as  I did  with  his  reverend  hands  upon  my  head, 
as  he  separated  me  by  hi&  prayer  of  consecration  to 
my  ministry,  I cannot  forget,  as  long  as  memory  re- 
mains, his  pregnant  and  paternal  supplications. — 
There  are  those  of  my  people  who  remember  them 
with  me,  and  who  number  with  their  privileges  the 
blessings  of  his  intercession. 


* President  Monroe,  who  declared  himself  deeply  impressed  and  even  sub- 
dued by  the  imposing  dignity  of  his  manner. 


25 


As  the  Head  of  the  College,  Dr.  Kirkland,  himself 
a Clergyman  and  constantly  officiating  in  the  services 
of  his  profession,  was  regarded  as  the  head  also  of 
the  Clergy ; in  that  sense,  I mean,  in  which  by 
usage  from  the  very  foundation  of  the  Seminary,  and 
the  free  spirit  of  Congregationalism,  the  term  can 
alone  be  regarded.  To  this  distinction  he  was  enti- 
tled, by  his  academic  station,  by  his  eminence  as 
a Divine,  his  theological  attainments,  his  liberal  Ca- 
tholicism, his  consideration  and  love  of  the  brethren. 
He  was  indeed  unto  us  as  a father  and  a brother. 
There  was  not  a clergyman  in  the  Commonwealth, 
however  obscure  the  scene  of  his  labors,  but  was  cer- 
tain of  a just  appreciation  of  his  merits,  and  of  a 
friendly  reception  from  the  President  of  the  College. 
His  singular  penetration  of  character,  to  which  I have 
already  referred  ; his  memory  of  persons  as  well  as 
of  things,  always  a commanding  faculty,  and  preserv- 
ed to  a remarkable  degree,  even  amidst  infirmities 
that  usually  impair  it,  enabling  him  to  recall  what  he 
had  once  known,  and  to  bestow  honor  where  honor 
was  due,  were  among  his  facilities  and  felicities  in 
all  his  intercourse  with  his  friends,  and  even  with 
strangers. 

You  also,  my  brethren  of  this  Society,  will  not  fail 
of  some  grateful  remembrances  of  our  departed  head, 
who  has  been  in  succession,  the  companion  and 
friend,  the  instructor  and  guide,  the  kind  patron  and 


26 


honored  relative  of  your  pastors  ;*  whom  in  the  va- 
cancies which  occurred  in  your  pulpit  you  often 
sought  for  his  ministrations  and  his  counsel ; and  who 
honored  this  ancient  Church  with  the  chosen  temples 
of  the  land.  Some  of  you,  I doubt  not,  will  remem- 
ber the  affecting  tribute,  which,  on  the  melancholy 
day  of  the  interment  of  your  gifted  Buckminster, 
when  the  tempest  without  and  the  “weeping  canopy 
of  the  heavens”  seemed  responsive  to  your  grief,  he 
paid  to  his  memory.  And  while  he  thus  spoke  of 
the  private  virtues  of  a friend,  whom  he  loved  as  a 
brother,  you  will  be  ready  to  think  he  was  uncon- 
sciously describing  himself. 

“ They,  to  whom  he  was  allied  by  nature  and  affec- 
tion, need  not  that  I should  speak  of  his  private  vir- 
tues, of  the  unvarying  dutifulness  and  devotion  of  the 
child,  of  the  fond  solicitude  and  delicate  kindness  of 
the  brother,  of  the  warmth  and  constancy  of  the 
friend ; nor  of  the  personal  qualities  and  virtues  that 
could  not  fail  to  strike  our  attention — patience,  that 
made  him  refrain  from  complaint — and  generosity, 
that  did  not  ask  for  participation  in  his  peculiar  trials ; 
courage  and  elevation,  that  would  not  suffer  him  to 

* With  Dr.  Thacher,  the  fourth  minister  of  Brattle  Street  Church,  Dr. 
Kirkland  shared  seven  years  of  his  ministry  in  the  same  city  and  association. 
With  Mr.  Buckminster  and  his  immediate  successors,  Everett  and  Palfrey,  he 
maintained  the  closest  friendship,  and  with  the  present  Pastor  he  was  allied 
by  near  family  connexion,  was  for  a time  the  inmate  of  his  house,  and  re- 
garded him  as  his  son.  Dr.  Kirkland  was  also  a worshipper  in  that  Church, 
previously  to  his  last  sickness. 


27 


take  any  measure  or  behave  to  any  man  under  the 
influence  of  fear — and  simplicity  of  intention  and 
purpose,  that  rejected  all  artifice  in  speech  and  con- 
duct. Nor  shall  I pretend  to  enumerate  all  that  gave 
grace  and  effect  to  his  talents  and  virtue,  his  literary 
taste,  his  advantage  of  countenance  lighted  up  with 
intelligence,  and  bright  with  the  vivacity  of  genius 
and  the  smiles  of  kind  affection.  But  God  hath 
changed  his  countenance  and  sent  him  away.”* 
Those  of  you,  my  younger  hearers,  who  have  only 
heard  of  Dr.  Kirkland,  or  perhaps  have  seen  him  on- 
ly in  the  days  of  his  infirmity,  may  find  it  difficult  to 
justify  the  terms  of  veneration  and  affection  with 
which,  now  that  he  is  gone,  his  memory  will  assured- 
ly be  honored.  And  doubtless,  with  the  evils  attend- 
ing declining  years  and  death  in  old  age,  which  may 
well  help  to  reconcile  us  to  an  earlier  exit,  must  be 
counted  this,  that  the  character  and  life  of  the  indi- 
vidual will  at  that  period  be  judged  by  a race 
younger  than  his  own  ; that  the  history  of  his  bright- 
est days,  the  fair  promises  of  youth,  the  gifts  and  at- 

* The  day  on  which  Mr.  Buckminster  was  interred  was,  as  is  intimated 
above,  a day  of  unusual  darkness  and  rain  ; notwithstanding  which,  the  ser- 
vices were  attended  by  a numerous  assemblage  of  his  brethren  and  his  flock, 
and  others,  his  deeply  afflicted  friends.  Tt  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  discourse 
by  President  Kirkland,  of  which  we  have  given  an  extract,  W33  not  yielded 
for  publication  ; for  though  composed  within  a very  brief  interval,  and  amidst 
the  toils  of  an  annual  examination  of  one  of  the  classes  at  the  College,  it 
abounds  in  rich  thought  and  touching  expression.  For  the  extracts  we  have 
made,  we  are  indebted  to  the  care  of  Professor  Palfrey,  who  has  preserved 
them  in  the  Appendix  to  his  Historical  Discourses. 


28 


tainments  and  deeds  of  manhood,  the  wisdom,  piety, 
and  patriotism,  which  even  while  the  fruits  were 
ripening,  obtained  due  honors,  shall  be  unknown  or 
forgotten,  except  by  him  who  earned  them.  They 
are  gone,  his  coevals  and  friends,  who  knew  him  in 
his  freshness,  who  were  witnesses  of  his  glory,  and 
were  eager  to  proclaim  it.  But  another  generation 
has  arisen,  who  know  not  him  or  them.  Happily 
this  was  but  in  a very  limited  degree  the  infelicity  of 
our  venerable  friend.  The  multitudes  of  almost 
every  age,  from  the  hoary  head  of  four  score  to  the 
ardent  youth,  the  young  hope  of  the  College  and  of 
the  State,  who  thronged  in  company  to  yonder  tem- 
ple to  pay  their  honors  at  his  tomb,  was  of  itself  a 
touching  evidence  that  his  memory  is  fresh  within  us, 
that  it  hath  in  it  that  which  will  not  die.* 

But,  if  there  be  a stranger  in  this  assembly,  who 
needs  the  testimony — and  God  forbid  that  in  this 
house  consecrated  to  his  worship  we  should  presume 
to  extol  with  false  honors  mortal  men — to  such 
would  1 say  even  as  did  king  David  of  his  counsellor ; 
“ Know  ye  not,  that  a prince  and  a great  man  hath 
fallen  this  day  ?”  That  one,  whom  God  had  endued 

* It  was  at  first  proposed  by  the  immediate  friends  of  Dr.  Kirkland,  that 
the  funeral  should  be  attended  without  public  notices.  But  at  the  request  of 
the  Alumni  of  the  College,  who  met  on  the  evening  preceding  the  day  of  his 
interment,  this  arrangement  was  changed.  His  remains  were  carried  into  the 
New  South  Church,  of  which  he  had  been  the  Pastor,  and  the  spectacle  of  the 
multitudes,  both  of  the  Alumni  and  of  various  classes  assembled  to  express 
their  respect  and  attachment,  was  at  once  affecting  and  instructive. 


29 


with  an  unusual  measure  of  his  spirit,  whose  gener- 
ous heart,  binding  him  to  his  friends,  to  his  country 
and  to  his  race,  enlarged  his  understanding  and 
prompted  noble  purposes ; whose  influence  was  only 
less  weighty  than  it  was  kind,  whose  lips  spoke 
sweetly,  as  he  declared  of  others,  for  God  and  good- 
ness, whose  character  and  whose  gifts  were  to  sci- 
ence and  religion,  to  the  church  and  to  the  world  an 
ornament  and  a defence — has  been  taken  from 
among  us.  And  we  will  invite  him  to  join  with  us 
in  our  prayers,  that  it  would  please  the  God  who  gave 
him  and  has  taken  away,  to  sanctify  his  departure  to 
the  churches,  which  he  instructed  by  his  lips  and  blest 
with  his  prayers ; to  the  University,  in  which  he  “ sat 
as  chief to  the  pupils  whom  he  guided  with  the 
skilfulness  of  his  wisdom  and  persuaded  to  virtue  by 
his  life  ; to  the  Ministry,  whose  profession  he  adorned  ; 
to  the  Commonwealth,  to  whose  prosperity  in  the 
day  of  his  strength  he  contributed,  rejoicing  always 
in  the  gladness  of  the  people ; to  the  whole  country 
of  which  he  was  the  enlightened  citizen ; to  the  lovers 
of  truth  and  virtue,  of  learning,  freedom,  and  un- 
defiled Christianity  throughout  the  world. 

True  indeed  it  is,  that  his  latter  days  were  days  of 
infirmity,  and  for  a season,  the  bright  light  which 
was  in  him  was  darkened.  “ Even  so,  Father,  for 
so  it  seemed  good  in  thy  sight.”  We  rest  upon  the 
blessed  promise  of  thy  Son,  that  what  we  know  not 


30 


now  we  shall  know  hereafter.  And  now,  blessed  be 
God  the  darkness  is  past,  the  shadows  are  scattered, 
and  the  light  has  shone.  The  soul  of  our  venerated 
friend,  disembodied  and  set  free,  has  ascended  to  its 
native  Heaven  : and  there,  with  them  that  have  been 
wise  and  turned  many  to  righteousness,  shall  shine  as 
the  stars  of  God.  There,  it  is  united  with  kindred 
spirits  whom  he  loved ; with  the  spirits  of  Belknap 
and  of  Clarke,  of  Ames  and  Parsons,  of  Eliot  and  of 
Buckminster,  of  Cabot  and  of  Thacher ; with  whom 
he  labored  on  earth,  whose  virtues  he  embalmed  in 
his  memory,  and  honored  by  his  praise.  He  is  united 
to  Him,  the  Master  and  the  Head,  the  Shepherd  who 
cannot  die,  whose  steps  he  followed,  and  by  whose 
light  he  walked  in  darkness.  He  has  ascended  to 
God,  his  witness  and  judge,  who  entrusted  to  him 
his  gifts,  who  appointed  him  his  trials,  and  will  con- 
fer an  unfading  crown. 

Spirit  of  our  departed  friend ! we  rejoice,  that 
thou  hast  ascended  to  thy  Father’s  house.  It  is  well 
with  thee,  for  thou  hast  entered  upon  thy  rest.  We 
were  gladdened  by  thy  light  on  earth.  Be  unto  us 
still  a light  from  Heaven.  We  will  treasure  up  the 
counsels  of  thy  wisdom,  and  cherish  with  grateful 
hearts  the  memory  of  thy  love.  And  in  the  mercy 
of  Him,  who  has  led  thee  as  the  good  Shepherd 
through  the  dark  valley  ; through  the  grace  of  Christ 
Jesus,  by  whose  faith  thou  didst  walk  in  darkness, 
may  we  be  found  worthy  at  the  last  of  a re-union 
with  thee  in  a world  of  unfading  glory. 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  is,  we  believe,  an  accurate  list  of  Dr.  Kirkland’s  acknowl- 
edged publications.  Besides  these,  he  made  many  valuable  contributions  to 
the  literary  and  religious  Journals  of  his  times,  to  the  Monthly  Anthology,  ed- 
ited from  1804  to  1812  by  a Society  of  Gentlemen,  of  which  he  was  a mem- 
ber, and  to  the  Christian  Disciple,  which  followed  it  in  1813. 

1.  1795.  Sermon  before  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery  Company. 

2.  1798.  National  Fast  Sermon,  May  9. 

3.  1798.  At  the  Interment  of  Rev.  Jeremy  Belknap,  D.  D. 

4.  1798.  An  Oration  before  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society,  Cambridge. 

5.  1799.  Sermon  on  the  death  of  General  George  Washington,  delivered 
Sunday,  Dec.  29. 

6.  1800.  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  Rev.  John  Pipon,  at  Taunton. 

7.  1801.  Address  before  the  Massachusetts  Charitable  Fire  Society. 

8.  1808.  Memoir  of  the  Life  and  Character  of  Fisher  Ames,  prefixed  to 
his  Works. 

9.  1809.  Biography  of  Commodore  Preble.* 

10.  1814.  Discourse  before  Massachusetts  Society  for  the  Suppression  of 
Intemperance. 

11.  1816.  Sermon  before  the  Legislature  of  Massachusetts  on  the  day  of 
the  General  Election,  May. 

12.  1823.  Discourse  on  the  death  of  Hon.  George  Cabot. 

13.  1826.  Eulogy  on  John  Adams  and  Thomas  Jefferson,  delivered  before 
the  American  Academy,  and  published  in  their  Collections. 

Of  the  numerous  services  he  was  called  to  perform  at  Ordinations,  and  on 
other  public  occasions,  academic  or  professional,  only  a very  small  part  was 
given  to  the  press. 


* To  these  biographical  notices  may  be  added,  a brief  Memoir  of  Rev.  Dr.  John  Lalhrop, 
published  in  Christian  Disciple  in  1816. 


- 


